AP Microeconomics – Course Description
2013-14
Introduction
It is a primary focus of this course to prepare students to perform at the highest levels on the AP
Microeconomics national exam in May. To earn the AP designated credit for this course at Wilson,
students are required to register for and take the national AP exam. In addition, students are
responsible for the fee to take the exam.
It is our expectation that students who take AP Econ have a strong interest in the topics we will be
studying, and the desire to succeed as we learn and prepare for the AP exam. We have a strong
tradition of success on the AP Econ national exam because students put forth considerable effort and
devote the necessary time and preparation to this end. This is a tradition we hope to continue.
Course Description
The purpose of a course in AP Microeconomics is to give students a thorough understanding of the
principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and
producers, within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of
product markets, and includes the study of factor markets and the role of government in promoting
greater efficiency and equity in the economy.
Course Objectives
To give students an understanding of microeconomic concepts and theories.
To enable students to use these concepts to analyze current economic problems and issues.
To give students practical experience in communicating understanding of various economic issues
through written and oral presentations.
To develop in students the “economic way of thinking” – the economist’s systematic use of analytical
decision-making to discuss and solve problems.
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Unit Topics
The Nature of Economics
Scarcity and the World of Trade-Offs
Demand and Supply
Extensions of Demand and Supply Analysis
The Public Sector and Public Choice
Demand and Supply Elasticity
Consumer Choice & The Firm
Perfect Competition
Monopoly
Monopolistic Competition, Oligopoly, and Strategic Behavior
Productive Factors, Poverty, Health Care, and Environment
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Course Texts
Ray, M. and Anderson, D. (2013). Krugman’s Microeconomics for AP. New York: Worth Publishers.
Morton J. (2006) Advanced Placement Economics 3rd edition. New York: National Council on
Economic Education.
Lopus, J., Morton, J., Reinke, R., Schug, M., Wentworth, D. (2003). Exemplary Lessons for High
School Economics. New York: National Council on Economic Education.
Supplemental Readings
Levitt., S. & Dubner, S. (2006). Freakonomics. New York: William Morrow.
**(Freakonomics is a summer reading assignment – guided reading questions due throughout the
summer prior to the beginning of class)
Guidelines for the Course
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Students are responsible for note taking, readings, and completion of all assigned work.
Free Response Questions will be used as practice assessments to get students ready for the style
of questions they will see on the AP exam.
Students are required to contribute to class discussion, complete work on time to enable class
review of problems to be a productive experience.
Assessments & Grading
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Summative assessments are the “end of the learning process” assessments that are used to
evaluate student mastery. This category of assessment (which includes mainly unit exams) is
90% of the students’ grade.
Retake Policy: Only summative assessments may be retaken (and in accordance to WHS
policy). A list of required items will need to be produced in order to retake a unit exam (notes,
HW, classwork and any other activities from the unit).
Formative assessments are the “along the way” assessments that are used to gauge progress and
make improvement before the summative (some classwork, activities, quizzes, etc.)
assessments take place. This category of assessment is 10% of the students’ grade.
ALL UNIT TESTING FOLLOWS ADVANCED PLACEMENTS PRINCIPLES & FORMAT
Unit Exams are given at the conclusion of a section of the course. This examination will
consist of objective questions and free response questions. There are routinely 2 unit exams per
marking period.
Quizzes, activities, class discussions – are used often to provide unique learning opportunities
and a chance to assess student understanding. Depending on the nature of the assessment, they
may be summative or formative.
HW assignments are given and checked to develop understanding of key concepts. This
category is given 0% weight toward the quarter grade.
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